Delicious Nut Butter Granola

This delightful nut butter granola combines an array of nuts, seeds, bananas, and gluten-free oats, creating a perfect balance of flavors and nutrients. It's packed with healthy fats from walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds, while the natural sweetness of ripe bananas and your choice of sweetener adds a comforting touch. Despite its plant-based ingredients, this granola provides a hearty and satisfying crunch. It's extremely versatile, as you can switch up the type of nut butter to suit your taste. The occasional tartness from dried cranberries or raisins complements the granola beautifully. Toasted to a golden perfection, this granola can easily become a breakfast staple or a comforting snack. It's simple to prepare with a straightforward method that takes only 30 minutes. Whether you're topping yogurt, enjoying with milk, or snacking on the go, this wholesome granola will quickly become a favorite in your kitchen!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• 1.5 cups pumpkin seeds
• Gluten-free oats, to taste
• 3 very ripe bananas
• Maple syrup, gur sugar, brown sugar, or another sweetener of choice (avoid honey due to heating!)
• 3-4 tbsp nut butter of choice (organic peanut butter without additives, almond butter, cashew butter)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins, optional

Preparation Time

Total time: 30 minutes

Step-by-Step Instruction

1. Preheat the oven to 190˚C (375˚F), ensuring it’s hot enough to crisp up the granola beautifully.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and gluten-free oats.
3. In a separate bowl or blender, blend the ripe bananas until smooth and creamy.
4. Add your chosen sweetener to the banana mixture, ensuring it complements your taste preferences.
5. Mix in the nut butter with the banana and sweetener blend, stirring until everything is well integrated.
6. Pour the banana mixture into the bowl with the nuts and seeds, ensuring each piece is well-coated and flavors are evenly distributed.
7. Spread the mixture evenly onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
8. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. This ensures even drying and a great crunch.
9. Watch closely towards the end to prevent burning, ensuring you achieve a golden-brown color.
10. Once baked, remove from oven and let the granola cool completely. It will become crunchier as it cools.
11. Stir in the dried cranberries or raisins when the granola is still slightly warm for a blend of sweetness and texture.
12. Store the cooled granola in a sealed glass jar to maintain freshness and enjoy within ten days for optimal taste.
13. You can serve it with yogurt, milk or simply enjoy as a snack on its own.
14. Consider adding some fresh fruit for a delightful breakfast treat.
15. Adjust the consistency by adding more oats or seeds if preferred.
16. Experiment with different nut butters to keep flavors exciting each time you make it.
17. You might also choose to substitute nuts according to your taste or dietary needs.
18. For an extra sweet touch, sprinkle some dark chocolate chips after baking.
19. Remember to adjust baking time slightly if you alter ingredient quantities to ensure perfect results.
20. Enjoy and relish the nutritious, balanced taste that this homemade granola offers.

Tips

• Substitutions: Feel free to substitute nuts with others like pecans, or seeds with chia or flax seeds for variety.
• Blending Bananas: Ensure bananas are ripe for optimal sweetness without adding extra sugar.
• Storage Tips: Store in airtight containers to preserve flavor and texture.

Variations

• Use coconut sugar or agave syrup as a sweetener for a different flavor profile.
• Add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm autumn flavor.
• For nut-free options, substitute nuts with additional seeds or oats.

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with dairy-free yogurt and fresh berries for a delicious breakfast.
• Serve with almond milk for a light yet fulfilling snack.
• Enjoy as a topping on smoothie bowls along with fresh fruits.

Best Places

• Granola Bar - Savor the taste of homey and comforting granolas in a cozy setting. Location: 617 Union St, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
• The Oat Branch - Known for its fresh granola options, this spot specializes in unique flavors. Location: 48 Bristol Street, Edinburgh, UK.
• Crunchy Delight Cafe - A perfect place for granola and smoothie lovers alike. Location: 234 Collins Street, Melbourne, Australia.
• Sweet Crunch - Offers gourmet granola variants with organic and local ingredients. Location: 75 Rue de Provence, Paris, France.
• Harvest Table - Relish amazing breakfast bowls and granola desserts in a small, charming cafe. Location: 159 Phahonyothin Road, Bangkok, Thailand.
• Rustic Bakery - Famous for its toasted granola blends, ideal to pair with their delicious pastries. Location: 1139 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, CA, USA.
• Granola Gourmet - Features a wide variety of healthy granola choices for all dietary needs. Location: 21 Dongvin Avenue, Hong Kong, China.
• Nature’s Nosh - Serves wholesome meals with freshly made granola as an option. Location: 12 Kalea Avenue, Auckland, New Zealand.
• Roots & Shoots - Offers delicious acai bowls with heartful servings of granola. Location: 43 Rio Amazonas, Mexico City, Mexico.
• Hippie Crunch - Known for some of the best vegan, gluten-free granola mixes in the region. Location: 77 Spadina Ave, Toronto, Canada.